How much to feed hen with prolapsed vent

[Winchikn]

Hello,

Long story short due to time constraints - I have a large hen who came back into lay after molt and ended up with a prolapsed vent 2 days ago. I've got her isolated and dark but I'm not sure how much to feed her. I've been giving some grapes, apple, scrambled egg, and a bit of wet mash - but probably only 1/4 cup of food twice a day.

How much is the right amount to put her off laying but sustain her in decent health?

 

[fluffy07]

Hello,

Long story short due to time constraints - I have a large hen who came back into lay after molt and ended up with a prolapsed vent 2 days ago. I've got her isolated and dark but I'm not sure how much to feed her. I've been giving some grapes, apple, scrambled egg, and a bit of wet mash - but probably only 1/4 cup of food twice a day.

How much is the right amount to put her off laying but sustain her in decent health?

Hi, If she has a prolapsed vent you need to get her to an avian vet a.s.a.p. He will know how to get it back into place and stitch the opening. She needs to feed, but her poops will make the prolapse worse, since there is only one vent.

 

[Winchikn]

Sorry - important detail to add is that I have addressed the prolapse - got it back in the day it happened!

Sadly we have no vet willing to work with chickens in our area...

 

[cherrynberry]

Hello,

Long story short due to time constraints - I have a large hen who came back into lay after molt and ended up with a prolapsed vent 2 days ago. I've got her isolated and dark but I'm not sure how much to feed her. I've been giving some grapes, apple, scrambled egg, and a bit of wet mash - but probably only 1/4 cup of food twice a day.

How much is the right amount to put her off laying but sustain her in decent health?

Stop feeding her "treats"

Just keep her on her own feed. Not sure why you want to feed her less food. I just let my birds eat however much they want. I have never dealt with a prolapse though.

@Wyorp Rock What do you think?

 

[Winchikn]

Every bit of guidance I've read says to reduce their feed to try to stall laying while the prolapse heals.

 

[NatJ]

Every bit of guidance I've read says to reduce their feed to try to stall laying while the prolapse heals.

What sources are you seeing?

How much is the right amount to put her off laying but sustain her in decent health?

I would expect short days to be more effective than limiting her food.

Less than 12 hours of light, possibly as low as 10 or even 8, will probably make her quit laying.

 

[Winchikn]

I've looked at enough that I've lost track but I will put the emphasis on the reduced light and let her eat!

She's a huge light sussex so I'm guessing obesity is the contributing cause of her prolapse. My hens have quite a large run and don't get much in the way of treats - maybe a tbsp or two each a day of scratch. I'm not sure how to manage her weight going forward if this prolapse heals...

 

[Winchikn]

Good news is that she laid another egg today and I was just able to have a look and the prolapse has not reappeared!!

I think I'll keep her isolated and in the dark for another day and hope she can then go back with the flock.

I'm in a part of Canada that is already dark and damp and grey this time of year with only about 9 hours of daylight. I'm not sure how much more I can do to discourage her laying given the egg that caused the prolapse was her start up after molting and her body is probably going to want to continue...

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that keeping her in the dark for 16 hours a day, and only allowing her in the light for 8 hours daily will decrease her intake, and should stop her from laying temporarily. Reducing the protein in the diet is sometimes recommended, but many do not change the feed. I would just cut out all scratch or food other than chicken feed. Then while she is separated give her a limited amount of layer feed. If she is not having a problem with the prolapse coming back out, I would not even bother trying to stop her laying by keeping her in the dark. But that is up to you. Chickens do not need anything other than a balanced feed, and some still may be piggy and heavier. But do not give fruits, scraps, or anything else. I like to give a handful of scratch occasionally myself, but if you give any, just do that about once a week. They just don’t need it.

Edited to say that I just saw your last post, so that is great news.

 

[Winchikn]

I don't know what I'd do without this forum. A million thank yous.

I'll get her back on her feed, limit light for a few more days, and hope her brain doesn't want to lay another egg until January. She is a piggy hen but maybe by that time with less scratch she'll be a bit more svelte.

And I will back off on the scratch for all my hens. My chickens range in my orchard so they eat a lot of fallen fruit Aug-Oct but that is over now so we can just focus on feed!